Diamondbacks vs. Dodgers Pick
Are the host Los Angeles Dodgers going to have their way with the Arizona Diamondbacks in Game 1 of the NLDS? First pitch is at 10:30PM EST.
The Dodgers are a massive -280 favorite to win on the moneyline according to sports book Bovada.lv. The Diamondbacks are a +230 underdog and the total is set at 7.5. Los Angeles is -130 on the -1.5 runline, while Arizona is +110 on the +1.5 runline.
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During the regular season, the D-backs finished 93-69 and 41-40 on the road. They advanced to the NLDS via an 11-8 home win over the Rockies Wednesday night in the NL Wild Card Game. The Dodgers enter the postseason after going 104-58 and 57-24 at home, locking up homefield advantage through the playoffs. Arizona has won seven of the last 10 meetings including the last six games, while the total has gone over six times.
On the mound for Arizona will be Taijuan Walker (9-9, 3.49 ERA), while Los Angeles counters with Clayton Kershaw (18-4, 2.31). Walker holds a 1.33 WHIP with 146 strikeouts in 157 1/3 innings. He gave up one earned run on three hits with six strikeouts and one walk over five innings in a 4-3 loss at the Royals in his final regular season start. Walker has a 2.92 ERA in 86 1/3 road innings this season. He is 2-0 versus the Dodgers with a 3.24 ERA over 16 2/3 innings in three starts this year, allowing six earned runs on 15 hits with 17 strikeouts and five walks. Kershaw has a 0.95 WHIP with 202 strikeouts over 175 innings. He gave up three earned runs on seven hits with two strikeouts and no walks over four innings in a 5-3 win at the Rockies his last regular season start. Kershaw has a 2.58 home ERA in 90 2/3 innings. He has baffled the D-backs in two starts this year, going 2-0 with only one earned run allowed on six hits in 15 1/3 innings with 19 strikeouts and three walks.
The Diamondacks’ offense is led by J.D. Martinez (.1.066 OPS, 45 HRs, 104 RBIs), Paul Goldschmidt (.966 OPS, 36 HRs, 120 RBIs) and Jake Lamb (.844 OPS, 30 HRs, 105 RBIs). The Dodgers are highlighted by Justin Turner (.945 OPS, 21 HRs, 71 RBIs), Cody Bellinger (.933 OPS, 39 HRs, 97 RBIs) and Corey Seager (.854 OPS, 22 HRs, 77 RBIs).
Bet on Diamondbacks vs. Dodgers
Kershaw is Kershaw. Is there much more to say? Although he hasn’t been at his peak in recent starts and has had past postseason struggles, he is still the best pitcher baseball has to offer and cream always rises to the top. While we expect Arizona to make this a series and have even predicted the Diamondbacks to win it, game one goes to Los Angeles in our view.
MLB DAILY PREDICTION: LOS ANGELES DODGERS RL -130